By Ethan Tutor
The Scene staff
Forest Park students who enrolled for the first time this fall, as well as future students seeking associate’s degrees, will have to pass a civics test in order to graduate.
That’s because the Missouri General Assembly passed Senate Bill 807 and Gov. Michael L. Parson signed it into law last year.
“Any student entering a public institution of higher education for the first time after July 2019 who is pursuing an associate’s or bachelor’s degree from such institution shall successfully pass an examination on the provisions and principles of American civics with a score of seventy percent or greater as a condition of graduation from such institution,” the law states.
Tests must contain 50 to 100 questions, including some that cover the U.S. Constitution, Declaration of Independence, Bill of Rights and other U.S. laws and history.
Missouri State University created a civics test and sent it to all colleges and universities in the state to be adapted to their needs, according to Robert Lee, a history professor at Meramec.
He and other humanities professors with St. Louis Community College reviewed the test for use on their campuses.
“We reworded a few things,” Lee said, noting the STLCC version closely resembles the civics test that is administered at many Missouri high schools.
Only students seeking associate’s degrees are required to take the civics test, not those enrolled in certificate programs.
STLCC students will use the college’s Blackboard website to take the test. This can be done at any time during their college attendance.
The process begins with students signing up for a free, non-credit “class” called Mandatory Continuing Education 100. This gives them access to the actual civics test, as well as study materials that can help them prepare.
“It would be wise for all students to enroll in MCE 100 as soon as they can,” said James Munden, dean of the math and STEM Business Division at Forest Park.
Students may take the civics test as many times as they want until they pass.
Forest Park political science professor Ssebunya Kasule strongly supports the new legal requirement passed by the legislature.
“The civics test is a good addition to the college curriculum,” he said. “It ensures that each student has some basic knowledge of our system before graduating. Knowledge about our government enables students to be informed citizens, so they can better fulfill their civic duty.”
Forest Park computer applications major Samuel Santanear, 18, also supports the requirement. He hasn’t taken a government class since his junior year of high school and has never taken a civics test, but he’s not worried about passing.
“Yes, (the test’s) existence is justified,” Santanear said. “Our country is very patriotic. … It makes sense.”